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2026 Vol.22, Issue 1 Preview Page

Original Article

31 March 2026. pp. 333-346
Abstract
Purpose: This study examines whether existing regulations on child safety seats for school buses function as effective protection in practice, focusing on why illegal or non-certified restraint systems persist despite mandatory legal and certification frameworks. Methods: A qualitative policy analysis was conducted through a review of relevant laws, vehicle safety standards, and administrative guidelines, combined with recent survey data and school bus accident cases. The certification system and supply–distribution structure of compliant products were also analyzed. Results: Although legal and certification systems are established, field implementation remains uneven, particularly in terms of proper fit, certification verification, and ongoing management. Accident analyses indicate that safety outcomes depend more on implementation quality than on mere installation. Illegal or non-certified use largely results from limited access to certified products and weak distribution structures. Conclusions: The core failure of child safety seat policy lies not in the absence of regulation but in a policy structure that prevents existing rules from functioning as protection. Enhancing effectiveness requires administrative redesign linking certification, application standards, and support mechanisms.
연구목적: 본 연구는 어린이 통학버스 안전시트 정책을 법·제도의 존재가 아닌 실제 보호 기능의 작동 여부 관점에서 분석하고, 법적·인증 체계가 있음에도 불법·비인증 안전시트 사용이 지속되는 구조적 원인을 규명하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 「도로교통법」, 「어린이제품 안전 특별법」, 자동차 안전기준 및 교육·행정 지침을 분석하고, 교육부·학교안전공제중앙회·한국소비자원의 최근 실태조사 자료와 통학버스 사고 사례를 검토하였다. 아울러 인증제도와 합법 제품의 공급·보급 구조를 함께 분석하였다. 연구결과: 법적 근거와 인증제도는 마련되어 있으나, 현장에서는 보호장구 적합성 판단, 인증 확인, 지속 관리에서 구조적 편차가 확인되었다. 사고 사례 분석 결과, 보호 효과는 설치 여부보다 적용의 질에 따라 좌우되었다. 불법·비인증 안전시트 사용은 고의적 위반이라기보다 인증 제품 접근성과 보급 구조의 한계에서 기인한 것으로 나타났다. 결론: 어린이 통학버스 안전시트 정책의 문제는 법의 부재가 아니라, 기존 법·제도가 보호로 작동하지 않도록 설계된 정책 구조에 있다. 정책 실효성 확보를 위해서는 규범 강화보다 인증-적용-보급을 연계하는 행정적 설계 전환이 필요하다.
References
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
  • Volume : 22
  • No :1
  • Pages :333-346